Mouthpiece apparatus for measurement of biometric data of a diver and underwater communication

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention provide a system, apparatus and methods for measurement of biometric data of a diver. In many embodiments, the system includes a mouthpiece having a sensor device comprising a light emitter and detector configured to emit and detect light at a wavelength having an absorbance correlated with a level of a blood gas saturation e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, CO 2 . The emitter is positioned to emit light onto oral tissue of the diver and the detector positioned to detect light which is received from the oral tissue either by transmittance of light through the oral tissue or by reflection of light from the tissue. The target oral tissue can include one or both of gum or buccal tissue. Such embodiments allow data to be collected without having to wear additional sensors or measurement devices and allow for measurement of blood gas levels as the diver breaths through their mouthpiece.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/457,456, filed Apr. 26, 2012, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/479,265 filed Apr. 26, 2011,entitled “MOUTHPIECE FOR MEASUREMENT OF BIOMETRIC DATA OF A DIVER ANDUNDERWATER COMMUNICATION”, which priority applications are hereby fullyincorporated by reference for all purposes. Said Ser. No. 13/457,456also claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/237,912,filed Sep. 20, 2011, entitled, “DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORINGAND COMMUNICATING BIOMETRIC DATA OF A DIVER”, which priority applicationis fully incorporated by reference for all purposes

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/231,881, filed Sep. 13, 2011, entitled, “SELF-PROPELLED BUOY FORMONITORING UNDERWATER OBJECTS”; U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/352,249 filed Jan. 17, 2012, entitled, “APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHODFOR UNDERWATER VOICE COMMUNICATION BY A DIVER”; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/398,718, filed Feb. 16, 2012, entitled“APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UNDERWATER SIGNALING OF AUDIO MESSAGESTO A DIVER”; all of the aforementioned applications being herebyincorporated in their entirety by reference herein for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described herein relate to a system for underwater voicecommunication. More specifically, embodiments described herein relate toan apparatus, system and method for underwater communication by a diver,such as a SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) or skindiver.

BACKGROUND

Since the early days of SCUBA diving with Jacque Cousteau, communicationbetween SCUBA divers has been an issue. This is due to the fact that i)the use of the SCUBA breathing apparatus (including a mouth piece wornby the diver precludes voice direct voice communication, and ii) becauseof risks of the underwater environment, divers have a critical need tocommunicate a variety of safety related messages to their fellow divers,e.g., communicating the amount of air they have remaining (a maxim ofdiving is to never dive alone, but instead always go with at least oneother diver known as a “dive buddy”). As a result, a series of handsigns have been developed but these only cover a very limited number ofmessages and cannot quickly get the other divers attention in criticalsituations. Various underwater graphical display devices have also beendeveloped, but these have the same limitation. These devices which areworn on the diver's wrist or arm require the diver to divert his or herattention from what they are doing to look at the display. Typically,divers dive with their head up to see where they are going and theirarms at their sides to reduce water resistance. So, the diver's naturaldiving position is not conducive to monitoring a visual alert on theirwrist or elsewhere (e.g., arm or waist). This is even true for visualalerts on the divers face mask since the diver attention is more focusedon what is in front of them and not their face mask.

Acoustic alarm systems have been developed but they are not voice basedand can only communicate a limited number of messages which require thediver to understand an alarm code. Also, none of these devices providefor communication between divers and a surface craft such as the diveboat (the boat which supports the divers). Further none of these devicesprovides for communication between divers who are not in very closeproximity. What is needed is an approach allowing for voicecommunication between divers while they are underwater as for voicecommunication between divers and a surface craft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention provide a wearable mouthpiece and systemfor measurement and communication of biometric data of a diver and/orfor underwater voice communication by the diver to other divers and/orsurface ships. Embodiments also provide underwater voice communicationbetween a diver and an underwater electronic device which generatesvoice messages for the diver. In many embodiments, the system includes adive computer or like device having the ability to generate audiomessages, a mouthpiece having an acoustic transducer that conducts soundvia conduction through the diver's teeth and skull to the cochlea, so asto allow the diver to hear the audio messages and other sounds, and amicrophone for sensing the diver's voice. The mouthpiece is adapted tobe easily attached to portions of a SCUBA or other underwater breathingapparatus. It may also be attached to or integrated with a snorkel orsimilar apparatus. One or both of the mouthpiece and the dive computermay include circuitry for amplifying higher frequency components of theaudio messages or other sounds to account for reduced level ofconduction of such frequencies by bone.

Embodiments of the invention allow the diver to speak and have two wayvoice communication with other divers and surface ships without havingto remove their mouthpiece and without having any other specializedequipment. Embodiments of the invention also allow the diver to hearaudio messages such as acoustic alarms, voice messages and prompts froma portable dive computer or other underwater electronic device. In use,such embodiments allow the diver to perform various tasks whilereceiving a variety of information including voice prompts and commandswithout having to look at a display or gauge. This enables the divers tostay focused on their task and/or their underwater environment, therebyimproving the divers' safety and diving experience. Still otherembodiments of the invention allow divers to hear music, radio or otheraudio input while they are underwater. Other embodiments provide a diverwith an acoustic input of sounds from the body of water in which he orshe is diving to allow the diver to hear the sounds of underwater marinelife as well as the sounds of surface crafts.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a mouthpiece apparatus formeasuring biometric data of a diver such as oxygen or other blood gassaturation level. The apparatus comprises a flexible mouthpiece havingan exterior coupling element for coupling to an air hose or otherconduit of a SCUBA (or other underwater breathing apparatus) and aninterior portion coupled to the coupling element and worn in the diver'smouth. The coupling element may be coupled directly to the air hose orto a fitting on the air hose. The coupling element and interior portioncan include a lumen for the passage of respired air by the diver. Theinterior portion has a curved shaped corresponding to a shape of thediver's mouth and has attached right and left bite structures. The bitestructures include upper and lower surfaces for engaging a bite surfaceof the diver's upper and lower teeth. One or both of the bite structuresmay include a retaining flange (e.g., which can be perpendicular) to abite surface of the bite structure for retaining the mouthpiece in thediver's mouth. The bite structure may also include a tongue flap orflange which lies partially underneath the back portion of the tongue.The tongue flap can include at least one pair of emitters and detectorsconfigured to emit and detect light at a wave length having ancorrelated with a level of blood gas saturation as is described above.

The mouthpiece may also include a sensor device comprising a lightemitter and a light detector configured to emit and detect light at awave length having an absorbance correlated to a level of a blood gassaturation. In many embodiments, the emitted light is selected tomeasure blood oxygen saturation using a ratio of the intensity of theemitted light to the detected light. The emitter is positioned to emitlight onto oral tissue of the diver and the detector is positioned todetect light which is received from the oral tissue either bytransmittance of light through the oral tissue or by reflection of lightfrom the tissue. The target oral tissue used for the blood gasmeasurements can include one or both of the divers gum tissue or thebuccal (e.g., check tissue). Accordingly, the emitter and detector maybe positioned in a number of locations in or on the mouthpiece to makesuch measurements including the interior surface of the mouthpiece aswell as the left or right bite structure, the retaining flange, and in apreferred embodiment on the tongue flap. They may also be positioned onthe surface of the mouthpiece or embedded within the mouthpiece. Inother embodiments, the emitter and detector may be recessed within themouthpiece while still having direct exposure to the diver's oral tissue(cheek or gum) or partially covered by an optically transparent layerused as moisture guard. According to many embodiments, the mouthpiece issufficiently flexible to conform to the contour of the diver's oraltissue (e.g., the cheek and/or gum) and also sufficiently resilient tomaintain contact with the oral tissue when that tissue moves due tomovement of the divers mouth, jaw, teeth, etc. Owing to the flexibilityand resilience of the mouthpiece and the positioning of the emitter anddetector, the mouthpiece is able to maintain substantial physical and/oroptical contact between the diver's oral tissue and the emitter anddetector during movement of one or more of the divers mouth, jaw, teeth,cheek, etc. In use, these and related embodiments allow the mouthpieceto maintain such physical and/or optical contact so as to be able tocontinue to make blood gas measurements when the diver inhales, exhales,cough, speaks or makes any vocal sound and to do so without impeding thediver's breathing. In use, such embodiments also allow for themeasurement of blood oxygen or other blood gas level without the diverhaving to wear or otherwise be encumbered by any other sensor device.

In some embodiments, an acoustic transducer is positioned on the topsurface of at least one of the left or right bite structures of themouthpiece. The acoustic transducer is configured to transduce anelectrical signal input (e.g., from another communication device) intoan acoustic output and to acoustically couple to the diver's upperteeth. The acoustic transducer may conduct the acoustic output from thediver's upper teeth through the skull to generate audible sound in atleast one of the diver's ears when the diver is wearing the mouthpiece.The sounds may be used to communicate to the diver various biometricmeasurements made, for example, by the mouthpiece (e.g., blood oxygensaturation, pulse, etc.) as well as when those measurements cross athreshold (e.g., when blood oxygen levels fall below e.g., 95%).Typically, the acoustic transducer is positioned to engage the upper(e.g., maxillary) back teeth of the diver's mouth, but may positioned toengage any tooth or group of teeth in the diver's mouth. Also, thetransducer properties can be tuned or otherwise adjusted according to adiver's preference or for efficiency and/or effectiveness. A microphonemay also be positioned in or on the mouthpiece for detecting the diver'svoice and for generating an electrical output signal when the diver iswearing the mouthpiece. The microphone may be recessed or otherwisepositioned to reduce breathing sounds. This microphone output can besent to an underwater communication device for underwater transmissionto another diver(s) or to a surface ship. In other embodiments, thecommunication device may correspond to an ultrasonic or other acousticaltransmission device which transduces the electrical output signal intoan acoustic signal so that it may be transmitted by the acousticaltransmission device. Also, in various embodiments, one or both of thecommunication device or microphone may include a filter (e.g., highpass, low pass, etc.) for filtering out breath and related sounds of thediver from his or her spoken words.

In an exemplary embodiment of using the invention, the diver attaches anembodiment of the mouthpiece to a fitting on a regulator or othercomponent of his or her SCUBA gear. For embodiments having electricalcouplings on the mouthpiece, the diver may then connect them to theunderwater communication device. He or she may perform a few quick teststo assure that the communication system is working. Such tests caninclude putting in the mouthpiece and saying some test phrases (e.g.,“testing 1, 2, 3,” etc.) while looking at a display on or coupled to thecommunication device to assure that a signal from the microphone isbeing received by the communication device. The test for the acoustictransducer can comprise putting in the mouthpiece and pressing a testsignal button on the communication device which then sends a test signalto the acoustical transducer, which converts the electrical signal to anaudio signal conducted through his teeth and skull, and which the diverthen listens for. For either test, the diver can move the mouthpiecearound in his or her mouth to find a position of the mouthpiece in hisor her mouth which yields the best audio input and/or electrical outputsignal from the microphone. The diver may perform a similar procedurefor embodiments of the mouthpiece used in a snorkel. Having found thatposition, the diver may select a particular acoustic frequency or rangeof frequencies (e.g., akin to a channel) to use for input (hearing) andoutput (verbal speech). The diver may choose to use the systemunderwater for voice communication with other divers as well as surfaceship. Depending upon the frequencies available, the diver may thenselect/assign a distinct acoustic frequency or frequency range for aparticular diver as well as for a surface craft. In many embodiments,the system will allow for separate frequency and/or frequency range tominimize cross talk from diver to diver as well as diver to surface shipcommunication. These and other aspects, embodiments and features aredescribed in detail in the body of specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of an underwater voicecommunication system for a diver.

FIG. 1a shows an embodiment of a voice communication mouthpieceapparatus worn in the mouth and its use in the conduction of sound tothe inner ear through the skull.

FIG. 2 is a lateral view illustrating embodiments of the mouthpiececoupled to an underwater breathing apparatus such as a SCUBA.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing various features of an embodimentof the mouthpiece.

FIG. 4 is a lateral view showing an embodiment of the mouthpiece havingan electrical connection means such as a wire for coupling to PWEdevices such as a dive computer.

FIG. 5a is a side cut-away view showing an embodiment of the mouthpiecehaving a cavity and a microphone positioned in the cavity.

FIG. 5b is a block diagram illustrating the configuration and operationof an embodiment of the microphone.

FIG. 6a is a side cut-away view showing an embodiment of the acoustictransducer comprising an electromagnetic driver, acoustical plate andconnecting lever.

FIG. 6b is a top down view showing an embodiment of the acoustictransducer positioned in/on the mouth piece.

FIG. 6c is a block diagram showing the configuration and operation of anembodiment of the acoustical transducer.

FIG. 6d is a block diagram showing the configuration and operation of anembodiment of a communication system for generating voice prompts andother messages that are delivered to the diver by embodiments of theacoustical transducer.

FIG. 7a is a top down view illustrating an embodiment of the acousticplate having a curved shape corresponding to curvature of the diver'sdental arches.

FIG. 7b is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the acousticalplate having conducting ridges.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the mouthpiece having a wirelesscommunication device such an RF communication chip for communicatingwith a diver computer or other PWE device.

FIG. 9a is a cut away perspective view illustrating an embodiment of amultilayer mouthpiece having a rigid core and softer outer layer.

FIG. 9b is a cut away top down view illustrating an embodiment of amultilayer mouthpiece having a rigid core and softer outer layer.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating the configuration and operationof an embodiment of the communication device for use with embodiments ofthe voice communication mouthpiece apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the configuration and operationof an embodiment of a PWE device (such as a dive computer) including acommunication device for use with embodiments of the voice communicationmouthpiece apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a lateral view of an embodiment of a system for measuring andcommunicating biometric data of a diver.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the mouthpieceincluding a sensor device having one or more emitters and detectors foroptically measuring a blood gas saturation of a diver such as bloodoxygen saturation.

FIG. 14 is a top down view of an embodiment of the mouthpiece includinga sensor having one or more emitters and detectors for opticallymeasuring blood oxygen or other blood gas of a diver.

FIG. 15 is a lateral view of an embodiment of the sensor device formeasuring blood oxygen using reflectance oximetry.

FIG. 16 is a lateral view of an embodiment of the sensor device formeasuring blood oxygen using absorbance oximetry.

FIG. 17 is a lateral view of an embodiment of a mouthpiece including asensor device for measuring blood oxygen using absorbance oximetry wherethe emitter and detector are positioned on opposite sides of themouthpiece and below the gum line for transmittance of light through thegum tissue.

FIG. 18 is a lateral view of an embodiment of a mouthpiece including asensor device for measuring blood oxygen using absorbance oximetry wherethe emitter and detector are positioned on the same side of themouthpiece and below the gum line for transmittance of light through thegum tissue.

FIG. 19a is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mouthpieceincluding a sensor device for measuring blood oxygen using absorbanceoximetry where the mouthpiece includes a flap for positioning of theemitter and detector beneath the tongue.

FIG. 19b is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 19a showing thepositioning of flaps underneath the tongue and on either side of theLingual Frenulum.

FIG. 19c is a lateral view of the embodiment of FIG. 19a showing thepositioning of the flap on either side of the tongue and LingualFrenulum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-19, an embodiment of a communication system 5for voice communication from a first diver 200 to one or more otherdivers 210 or surface ships 220 comprises a mouthpiece apparatus 10(herein mouthpiece 10) and an underwater communication device 100. Invarious embodiments, communication system 5 also provides forcommunication of computer generated voice messages to the diver from aportable underwater device. Mouthpiece 10 is worn in the diver's mouthand is configured to attach to a regulator 82 or other fitting 83 of aSCUBA or other underwater diving apparatus 80. System 5, includingmouthpiece 10, is configured to allow voice or other communicationbetween a first underwater communication device 100 carried by diver 200and a second underwater communication device 110 carried by otherdiver(s) 210 as well as between communication device 100 and acommunication device 130 used by a ship 220. In one embodiment,communication device 130 can be incorporated into a buoy or array towedby ship 220. With regard to communication device 100 (and 110), it canbe positioned on a variety of locations on the diver and/or on Scuba 80.In one embodiment, it may be positioned on the diver's head and can beattached using a band or strap or it may be coupled to the hood of thediver's wetsuit. In many embodiments, communication device 100 may beincorporated into a portable watertight electronic device 160 carried orworn by the diver as is described herein.

In addition to communication with another diver 210 having a separateSCUBA 80, in various embodiments, system 5 and mouthpiece 10 can also beadapted for communication with another mouthpiece 10′ connected to abuddy breathing line 16 connected to same SCUBA 80 as used by diver 200as is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1. In such embodiments,mouthpieces 10 and 10′ can be configured to both be operativelyconnected to the same communication device 100 or they may be configuredto be directly connected to each other without the use of communicationdevice 100. In use, such embodiments allow quick and ready communicationbetween the diver 200 and the buddy breather without the need for anycommunication device or any set up procedure.

The mouthpiece 10 includes a coupling element 11, an interior portion 20coupled to the coupling element 11, a microphone 40 and an acoustictransducer 50. Coupling element 11, couples the mouthpiece 10 to SCUBA80. In various embodiments, coupling element 11 may be configured tocouple directly to an air hose 81 of SCUBA 80 or a regulator 82 or otherfitting 83 of SCUBA 80. The coupling element 11 and interior portion 20include a lumen 13 for the passage of respired air by the diver.

One or both of the microphone 40 and the acoustic transducer 50 may bepowered by a battery 90 which is incorporated into the mouthpiece 10 orcoupled to the mouthpiece 10, for example, by an electrical wire 17 orother electrical connection means 17. Battery 90 may comprise variouslithium buttons or other miniature batteries known in the art. Battery90 may also be shaped to have a form factor which readily fits intomouthpiece 10. For example, in one embodiment, battery 90 may havecurved shape which corresponds to the curvature of the diver's dentalarches DA. Battery 90 may also be used to power a processor 70 that mayalso be contained in the mouthpiece 10 and described in more detailherein.

Wire(s) 17 may also be configured to couple both the microphone 40 andthe transducer 50 (as well as electrical components of mouthpiece 10) tovarious electrical devices that are part of SCUBA 80 or are otherwiseworn or carried by the diver, such as communication device 100 and/ordive computer 160. Wire(s) 17 may be insulated sufficiently to withstanddepths of several hundred feet or more. A portion of the wires 17 may beembedded in the mouthpiece 10 and/or connected to the mouthpiece 10 byan electrical connector configured for underwater conditions. Wire 17can include at least a first and second wire for connection to themicrophone 40 and the acoustic transducer 50. In some embodiments, asection of wire 17 may pass through lumen 13 of coupling element 11 soas to connect to one or more electrical devices that are part of SCUBA80 or are otherwise worn or carried by the diver. In such embodiments,wire 17 is sufficiently thin or otherwise configured so as to notinterfere or impede the passage of respired air through lumen 13.

In alternative or additional embodiments, one or both of the microphone40 and the transducer 50 may be operatively coupled to communicationdevice 100 and/or dive computer 160 via use of a wireless communicationdevice 95, such as an RF communication chip 95 which may be embedded inthe mouthpiece 10. RF communication chip 95 may correspond to an activeor passive RF transceiver and may be embedded in the mouthpiece 10. Thefrequency and power levels for use with such an RF communication chip 95can be adapted for underwater use to allow communication of signals 97between an RF communication chip 95 in the mouthpiece 10 and acorresponding chip 96 in communication device 100 and/or dive computer160 carried by the diver. In use, such embodiments allow the diver toreadily couple the mouthpiece 10 to communication device 100 and/orcomputer 160 without having to make any electrical connections. It alsoallows the diver to verify that the mouthpiece 10 is operating properlybefore getting into the water through the use of one or more diagnosticsoftware modules 190 resident within dive computer 160 which can beconfigured to interrogate mouthpiece 10 for proper operation. In oneembodiment, this may consist of the diver being prompted to speakseveral test phrases with the mouthpiece in place. Further in variousembodiments, communication chip 95 and/or memory chip or other memoryresources 75 coupled to chip 95 may contain various diver specificinformation (e.g., name, weight, health data, dive history, etc.) whichcan be signaled to dive computer 160 allowing the dive computer touniquely identify the mouthpiece 10 as belonging to a particular diverand then upload that data into the dive computer. The process may alsobe facilitated by use of a processor 70, such as microprocessor 70,which controls the handshake and other communication betweencommunication chip 95 and chip 96. Processor 70 may also contain or becoupled to memory resources 75. In particular embodiments, such aconfiguration can be implemented through use of an ASIC (applicationspecific integrated circuit) containing processor 70, memory resources75 and even battery 90.

The interior portion 20 of the mouthpiece 10 has a curved shape 21corresponding to a shape of the diver's dental arches DA and hasattached right 31 and left 32, bite structures 30. The curved shape 21may be fabricated by taking a dental impression or image of the diver'smouth and then using that impression or image to construct a mold formaking the mouthpiece and/or using stereolithography techniques known inthe art. The bite structures 30 include upper 33 and lower 34 surfaces35 (also called bite surfaces 35) for engaging a bite surface BS of thediver's teeth T, such as upper teeth, UT (also called maxillary) andlower teeth, LT. Bite structures 30 may be positioned and arranged tocontact at least the back teeth of the diver, but may contact the frontteeth as well (or other teeth or groups of teeth). The bite structures30 may also be configured to be acoustically isolated from each other byfabricating all or a portion of the bite structures from variousacoustically insulating materials known in the art.

In various embodiments, one or both of the bite structures 30 mayinclude a retaining flange 36 for retaining the mouthpiece in thediver's mouth M by contacting an inside surface of the diver's teeth.Typically, flange 36 will be oriented perpendicular to bite surfaces 35,but other orientations are also contemplated (e.g., an acute angle).Also, flange 36 may have a curved shape or profile 37 which correspondsto the curvature of the diver's dental arches DA.

In various embodiments, mouthpiece 10 may be fabricated from elastomericpolymers such as silicone, polyurethane, copolymers thereof and otherelastomers known in the art. The mouthpiece 10 may have a unitaryconstruction and or may be fabricated from separate components which arejoined. It may be fabricated using various methods known in the polymerprocessing arts, including molding and stereolithography methods. Also,molding may be done with the microphone 40 and/or acoustical transducer50 in place, or they may be added to cavities created in the mouthpiece10 for positioning of microphone 40 and/or transducer 50. The polymericmaterials for the mouthpiece 10 may be selected for several differentmechanical and acoustical properties. For example the material can beselected to achieve a desired durometer for the mouthpiece 10. Thedurometer of the material may be selected to maintain the shape of themouthpiece 10, but at the same time, reduce the bite force required forthe diver to hold the mouthpiece 10 in place. Suitable lower durometerembodiments, include the range of 20 to 50, more preferably, 30 to 40.In use, such lower durometer embodiments allow the diver to keep themouthpiece 10 in their mouth for extended periods (e.g., hours) withoutexcessive discomfort or fatigue of their jaw muscles, particularly whilespeaking. The properties of the polymers used for the mouthpiece 10 canalso be selected to obtain a desired amount of acoustical insulation soas to minimize the transmission of sound from transducer 50 tomicrophone 40 by reducing or preventing feedback between the twocomponents.

In some embodiments, a mouthpiece 10 having a lower durometer can beachieved by two ply and/or other multilayer configurations of themouthpiece 10 where at least a portion of the mouthpiece 10 comprises alower durometer tooth contacting surface layer 18 (also referred to as aliner) that fits over a higher durometer (e.g., more rigid), underlyingcore structure 19. The latter provides sufficient rigidity for holdingthe shape of the mouthpiece 10 in the diver's mouth, while the formerprovides a soft comfortable tooth contacting surface. Liner 18 may alsobe configured to provide acoustical insulation/dampening properties soas to reduce feedback between microphone 40 and transducer 50 byreducing the transmission of sound from transducer 50 and microphone 40.In use, such two ply or other multilayer embodiments of the mouthpiece10 provide a more comfortable mouthpiece that minimizes or reducesfeedback from the transducer 50 and microphone 40, while maintaining theoverall shape of the mouthpiece. In related embodiments, mouthpiece 10can have a three or even a four ply construction to provide additionalamounts of acoustic insulation.

Microphone 40 is positioned in or on mouthpiece 10 and is configured todetect the sound 41 (herein voice sounds 41) from the diver's voice withthe mouthpiece 10 in place and to generate an electrical output 42.Microphone 40 may comprise various miniature microphones known in theart and may comprise various electric microphones known in the art. Themicrophone 40 may include or be coupled to a preamplifier 47 as well asa filter device 43 for filtering out the diver's breath sounds or othernon-speech related sounds (e.g., bubble and cavitation sounds). Invarious embodiments, filter 43 may correspond to one or more of a highpass, low pass or band pass filter. Filter 43 may also be programmable,so as to allow the user to select various acoustic criteria forfiltering out breathing sounds. Such criteria may include a particularfrequency range, duration of sound and/or amplitude of sound that isfiltered. Filter 43 may also be configured to filter out acousticsignals 52 (discussed below) generated by acoustical transducer 50 so asto minimize feedback from transducer 50 and microphone 40. In analternative or additional embodiment, filter 43 may also be configuredas or include a switching device 43 s that shuts off the generation ofsignals 42 by microphone 40 when the diver is receiving signal acousticsignals 52 from transducer 50. In use, such embodiments provide anotherapproach and means for minimizing or eliminating feedback betweenmicrophone 40 and acoustic transducer 50.

In some embodiments, microphone 40 may be placed in a variety ofdifferent locations in or on the mouthpiece 10. In one or moreembodiments, microphone 40 is positioned on an opposite side 22 of themouthpiece as the side containing acoustic transducer 50 so as tominimize feedback between the microphone and acoustic transducer 50(side 22 being defined by the divers left and right). In otherembodiments, the microphone is placed on an opposite bite structure 30from that of acoustic transducer 50. In such embodiments, bite structure30 is configured to dampen or attenuate any vibrations coming fromacoustical transducer 50. Also, microphone 40 may be placed on thesurface 12 of mouthpiece 10, but is more preferably recessed within themouthpiece so as to attenuate breath sounds as well as reduce thelikelihood of exposure to liquids in the diver's mouth. In otherembodiments, microphone 40 is configured and positioned to actuallydetect breath sounds so that the diver's respiration rate can bedetermined (by detecting repeating breath sounds 41) as well as otherrespiratory characteristics such as depth or shallowness of respiration.The latter two qualities may be determined by the duration and amplitudeof output signal 42 generated by microphone 40. In some embodiments, themicrophone 40 may be positioned near or at the front section of themouthpiece 10 in order to more effectively detect a diver's breathsounds.

In one embodiment, mouthpiece 10 can include a first and a secondmicrophone 40′ and 40″ where the first microphone 40′ is positioned foroptimizing the detection of breath sounds (e.g., in the front section 14of the mouthpiece) and the second microphone 40″ is positioned atanother location on the mouthpiece where the amplitude breath soundswill be reduced or a minimum. For example, the second microphone 40″ maybe positioned on either side of the mouthpiece or recessed below thesurface of the mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the output signal 42′from microphone 40′ can be used for a two-fold purpose. First, it can beused for the detection of respiration rates and other respiratorycharacteristics (e.g., tidal volume, depth of respiration, etc.).Second, it can also be used to attenuate the noise or interference fromthe diver's breaths sounds on the diver's voice sounds by subtractingall or a selected portion of output signal 42′ from output signal 42″(e.g., noise cancellation). Other signal processing operations on outputsignal 42″ using output signal 42′ are also contemplated (e.g.,averaging, use of first order, second order equations, Laplacetransformations, etc.). In this way, microphones 40′ and 40″ can allow asingle mouthpiece 10 to be used for both voice communication and forsensing and communicating biometric data such as respirationcharacteristics.

In some embodiments where the mouthpiece 10 has a recessed microphone40, the mouthpiece 10 can include a cavity 44 in which the microphone 40is placed. The cavity may include a small aperture 45 or opening to themouthpiece surface 12 to allow for acoustical conduction to themouthpiece 10. The diameter of aperture 45 can be selected to minimizethe entry of fluids into the cavity, and in various embodiments, can bein the range of 0.001 to 0.00001 inches (0.00254 to 2.54e-005centimeter), more preferably, 0.0005 to 0.0008 inches (0.00127 to0.002032 centimeter) with a specific embodiment of 0.0007 inches(0.001778 centimeter). One or both of aperture 45 and microphone 40 mayinclude a waterproof layer 46, which may correspond to a porous materialsuch as an expanded PTFE material. In other embodiments, the microphone40 may also be potted or positioned within cavity 44 with a soundinsulating material, such as one or more curable polymers having soundinsulating properties (e.g., silicone). In use, such embodiments havinga potted microphone 40 provide a means for reducing feedback betweenmicrophone 40 and acoustic transducer 50 as well as dampening of otherunwanted sounds (e.g., from the diver clenching his jaw on themouthpiece), which may be conducted through mouthpiece 10.

An acoustic transducer 50 is positioned on the upper surface 33 of atleast one of the left or right bite structure 30. The acoustictransducer 50 is configured to transduce an electrical signal input 51(encoding or corresponding to an acoustic signal) received by thediver's communication device 100 into an acoustic output signal 52.Input signal 51 can be from one or more of another communication device100 (either from another diver's device or from a surface ship), a divecomputer, a music player (e.g., an MP3 player) or other related devices.In particular embodiments, input signal 51 can be generated and/orconditioned by a processor 170 (described herein) or other signalconditioning device or circuitry of communication device 100 or aprocessor 70 resident within mouthpiece 10. Processor 70 or 170 maycorrespond to a microprocessor and can be configured to generate and/orcondition signal 51, as well as condition signal 42 from microphone 40.Such signal conditioning in either case can include one or more ofamplification, filtering, conversion, matching and isolation.

Transducer 50 is also configured to acoustically couple to the diver'supper teeth UT to conduct the acoustic output 52 from the diver's upperteeth through the skull S to the cochlea in order to generate audiblesound in at least one of the diver's ears E when the diver is wearingmouthpiece 10. In many embodiments, the transducer 50 comprises anacoustical plate 53 (also described as a vibrating plate 53) coupled toa driver 54. The plate 53 is configured to engage and acousticallycouple to the surface of the diver's teeth and be vibrated by the driver54 responsive to electrical signal 51. Vibration of the plate 53produces acoustical signal output 52 which is acoustically conducted tothe divers teeth and then through the bones in his or her skull to theinner ear IE, including cochlea C where they are perceived as sound.Plate 53 can be fabricated from ceramic, metal, polymeric material suchas a resilient polymer, and can have a size and shape to acousticallycouple to one or more of the diver's teeth. In particular embodiments,plate 53 may have a curved horizontal shape 53 c corresponding in partto the curvature of the diver's dental arches DA to facilitate the platecontacting multiple teeth. Plate 53 may also have one or more ridges orother raised feature 53 r configured to enhance acoustical coupling andconduction to the diver's teeth. In particular embodiments, ridges 53 rcan be positioned to contact the center depressions in the diver'steeth.

In particular embodiments, plate 53 can be configured to have anacoustical impedance approximating or otherwise matched in some fashion(e.g., proportional, inversely proportional, etc.) to that of thediver's teeth (e.g., one or more of the upper teeth). Such embodimentscan be achieved by fabricating plate 53 from one or more dental ceramicsor other material having similar properties as the diver's teeth. Otheracoustic properties can also be matched, such as the resonant frequencyof the plate and the teeth. Such matching of acoustic properties can beconfigured to minimize acoustic losses from plate 53 to the teeth orotherwise enhance conduction of acoustic signal 52 through the diver'sskull to the inner ear including the cochlea.

In various embodiments, driver 54 comprises an electromagnetic driver55, which can be directly or indirectly coupled to plate 53. In thelatter embodiments, driver 54 comprises electromagnetic driver 55, amovable diaphragm 56 sitting atop or otherwise coupled to the driver 55,and a lever or other connecting means 57 coupling diaphragm 56 to plate53. Electromagnetic driver 55 can comprise various electromagneticdrivers known in the speaker or earphone arts and can comprise aminiature magnet 58 which may correspond to a core or coil. One or moreof driver 55, movable diaphragm 56, lever 57 and magnet 58 can befabricated from mems-based components either separately or as a singlestructure. In alternative embodiments, driver 55 may be configured to bedirectly coupled to plate 53 without diaphragm 56 and/or lever 57.

Typically, acoustic transducer 50, including plate 53, is positioned toengage the upper (e.g., maxillary) back teeth of the diver's mouth M,but may be positioned to engage any tooth or group of teeth in thediver's mouth, such as the front upper or lower teeth. As an addition oralternative embodiment, transducer 50 including plate 53 may also beconfigured to engage and be acoustically coupled to the diver's upperpalate (the hard palate). In such embodiments, the plate 53 can have acurved shape matched to at least a portion shape of the upper palate(also known as the roof of the mouth). Such embodiments allow for largersurface area of acoustical conduction to the diver's skull and do notrequire the diver to bite down on the mouthpiece when speaking.

In various embodiments, mouth piece 10 can include a sensor 60 which isconfigured to detect the diver's breath and generate an output signal 61which is used to switch off microphone 40 and/or attenuate or gate theoutput signal 42 coming from the microphone to communication device 100during a time period of the diver's respiration. In the firstconfiguration (where the microphone is switched off), the output signal61 can be fed into microphone switching device 43 s, and in the secondsignal 61 can be sent to communication device 100 including processor170. In some embodiments, sensor 60 can correspond to a miniatureflow/velocity sensor for detecting a flow rate and/or velocity of thediver's breath moving through the mouth. When the velocity or flowexceeds a threshold value, corresponding to flow or velocity of adiver's breath, the microphone 40 can be configured to shut off, and/oroutput signal 42 can be attenuated or gated by processor 170. Thethreshold value for flow and/or velocity can be selected so as to beable to distinguish between a velocity or flow rate when the diver isspeaking or breathing, the former being lower than the latter. Invarious embodiments, processor 170 and/or microphone 40 may includelogic for shutting of the microphone 40 and/or attenuating or gatingsignal 42 or 51. In specific embodiments, such logic for attenuating orgating signal 42 or 51 can be incorporated into one or more modules 190,described herein.

For embodiments where sensor 60 comprises a flow sensor, the sensor canbe positioned in a variety of locations on mouthpiece 10 for detectingthe diver's breath. In one embodiment, flow/velocity sensor 60 is placedtoward the front section 14 of the mouthpiece 10 (e.g., near the frontteeth), preferably in the center 15 of the front section 14, so as to bein a location in the diver's mouth having the greatest velocity/flowrate (for example, at the peak of a velocity profile such as a velocityprofile for poiseuille flow). Such profiles can be determined usingstandard measurement methods known in the art for a standard mouthshape, size and tidal volume (or other related respiratory measurement),with adjustments made for a particular diver with a particular shapedmouthpiece 10.

Communication device 100 can employ a variety of communicationmodalities including, without limitation, electromagnetic, such as RF,magnetic, optical, acoustical and/or combinations thereof. Referring nowto FIG. 10, in some embodiments, the communication device 100 cancorrespond to an ultrasonic or other acoustical transmission device 100a which transduces the electrical output signal 42 into an acousticsignal 101, which is transmitted by the acoustical transmission device100. In such embodiments, communication devices 100 can comprise one ormore acoustical transducers 105 which transmit and/or receive acousticalenergy at a selected frequency or range of frequencies. Selectedfrequencies can be in the range of 10 to 40 kHz, 30 to 40 kHz, 100 to200 kHz and 150 to 200 kHz. This frequency can be adjusted for one ormore of the depth, salinity and temperature conditions of the water.Acoustical transducers 105 may correspond to one or more ultrasonictransducers 106, which can comprise various piezo-electric materials,such as piezo-electric ceramic materials. The particular acousticaltransducer 105 and acoustical frequency can be selected based on thedesired acoustical transmission range, acoustical sensitivity,bandwidth, maximum diving depth, temperature and salinity conditions andrelated parameters.

Also, acoustical transducers 105 may be configured as both acousticaltransmitters and receivers so as to send and receive acoustical signals.In many embodiments, transducers 105 can be arranged as an array 107 oftransducers which may include a phased array formation. Array 107 can beconfigured to optimize one or more of the transmission range,sensitivity and bandwidth of communication device 100. In variousembodiments, the frequency, power settings and sensitivities oftransducers 106 and/or array 107 can be selected to enable underwatertransmission ranges for communication device 100 up to 1500 feet (457.2meters) and more preferably, up to 2500 feet (762 meters) with evengreat transmission ranges contemplated. Also, communication device 100can include signal generation and selection circuitry to allow forcommunication over multiple selectable acoustic frequency ranges, hereinafter channels. Communication device 100 may also include a multiplexingdevice (not shown) coupled to at least one of the transceiver or signalprocessing circuitry so as to allow for the transmission of multiplesignals. The multiplexing device may be configured for one or more oftime division, frequency division or code division multiplexing. Inalternative embodiments communication device 100 can comprise an RFbased device and can even include RF communication chip 95 describedabove. In these and related embodiments, RF communication chip 95 isconfigured to have a selected power and frequency to enable underwatercommunication with other divers 210 and ship 220.

Referring now to FIG. 11, in many embodiments, communication device 100can be incorporated into a portable watertight electronic (PWE) device160. PWE device 160 will typically comprise a PDA (Personal DigitalAssistant) device 160 (or other similar devices) that is worn or carriedby diver 200. PWE device 160 may also comprise or be integrated into adive watch, dive computer or other device or equipment carried by thediver (e.g., a flash light, depth gauge, regulator, etc.). For ease ofdiscussion, PWE device 160 will now be referred to as a dive computer160; however, other embodiments are equally applicable. Dive Computer160 includes a processor 170, display 180, user input means 185 and anelectrical power source 165. Power source 165 may correspond to aportable battery such as a lithium or lithium ion battery or otherbattery chemistry known in the art. User input means 185 may correspondto a touch screen which may be separate or integral with display 180.Processor 170 includes one or more modules 190 including softwareprograms or other logic for controlling various operations of device 160including those of communication device 100. For example, in variousembodiments, module 190 can comprise a program for distinguishingbetween when a diver is speaking versus when the diver is breathing byusing an output 61 from sensor 60 and then gating or attenuatingmicrophone output 42 and/or transducer output 51 accordingly.

In other embodiments, module 190 can comprise a program or other logicinstruction set for generating and sending various voice commands andother voice messages 102 to the diver to alert them of variousconditions, etc. and/or assist them in the performance of one or moretasks. In one embodiment, module 190 can comprise a program for enablinga controlled ascent for a diver. The program may send voice prompts tothe diver telling him or her how long to remain at a particular depthbefore he or she can ascend to the next depth so as to avoid the bendsor other related conditions. The program can be configured to send theprompts in response to one or more inputs such as those from anelectronic depth gauge, electronic timer, SCUBA tank pressure or relatedgauge or sensor. Other inputs can include various messages from otherdivers 120 as well as the dive boat or other surface ships.

The processor 170 will typically correspond to one or moremicroprocessors known in the art and can be selected for increaseddurability, fault tolerance and pressure resistance for underwateroperation, using various MIL-SPEC criteria known in the military/navalequipment arts. Processor 170 will typically include one or more modulesor algorithms 190 for generating, conditioning and controlling signalssent to and from the mouthpiece 10, including signals 102 correspondingto voice messages as well as controlling other operations to allow twoway voice communication by diver 200. Modules 190 may also be configuredfor computing, monitoring and communicating various physiological dataof the diver, including for example, heart rate, respiration rate, bloodpressure, blood oxygen saturation and other blood gas measurements(e.g., blood nitrogen). In many embodiments modules 190 are configuredto calculate blood oxygen saturation or other blood gas saturation usingoutput from optical detector 413 and oxymetry methods known in the art.Module 190 can also include algorithms to calculate the divers pulserate based on variations in the diver's blood oxygen saturation usingmethods known in the art.

Processor 170 may also include other modules 190 which use such data todetermine if the diver is in a state of physiologic stress (e.g., suchas stress caused by low blood oxygen levels, “hypoxia” or out gassing ofnitrogen, causing the “bends,” etc.) or a precursor state which precedesor is otherwise predictive of a state of physiological stress. When sucha stress state or precursor state of stress is detected, it may becommunicated by the first communication device 100 to a secondcommunicative device 110 to allow other individuals (such as those onthe dive boat or even those onshore) to monitor the diver(s) and alertthem when it is time to ascend and/or if diver requires assistance.

In particular embodiments, PWE device 160 can comprise a dive computer160 or a related device that is carried or worn by the diver and isconfigured to provide the diver various voice messages 102 (alsoreferred to as spoken messages 102) including alerts, prompts andcommands using mouthpiece 10 and acoustic transducer 50. This can beachieved through the use of processor 170, audio signal generator 176,and one or more modules 190 that are configured to generate and signalvoice messages to the diver in response to one or more conditions and/oras part of a voice instruction set to the diver.

Referring now to FIGS. 6d and 10, in various embodiments, modules 190can include a speech synthesizer module 191 which generates audiosignals 51 corresponding to voices messages 102. In use, suchembodiments allow the diver to perform a number of tasks and activities,including various mission critical tasks without having the distractionof having to look at an instrument.

Speech synthesis module 191 can comprise various speech synthesisalgorithms known in the art. Additionally in various embodiments, speechsynthesis module 191 is configured to generate audio signals 52, whichcorrespond to a selected spoken voice 103. Spoken voice 103 can includefor example, the diver's own voice, or another person's voice similarthat used in aircraft navigation and control systems. One or both ofmodules 190 and 191 can include the capability for the diver 100 torecord specific messages 102 in their own voice or that of anotherindividual to allow module 191 to output those messages to the diver 100or another diver 110. Further, modules 190 and 191 may also include thecapability for the diver to record a sufficient number of vocalizations(in their own voice or that of another individual) to allow module 191to generate any spoken message 102 and not just those spoken by thediver or other individual. The techniques for generating voices 103 fromsuch vocalizations can include various algorithms known in the speechsynthesis arts, for example, various concatenation routines 192 usingstored speech units 193 derived from the speaker's (e.g., the divers)vocalizations. Such routines can be embedded within the programming ofmodule 191 or they may be external.

In an additional or alternative embodiment, modules 190 and 191 can alsoinclude the ability for the diver to fine tune the voice 103 to haveselected acoustic properties (e.g., pitch, volume, etc. to theirliking). Such voice selection capability can be achieved by the use ofone or more algorithms incorporated into module 191 such as a pitchvariation algorithm 194, rate variation algorithm 195 (and otheradjustment algorithms known in the speech synthesis arts), which adjustaudio signals 51 to produce the desired voice 103. In use, suchembodiments allow the diver to select a voice that they are mostcomfortable with and can mostly easily hear, particularly underwater. Inthe latter case, device 160 and modules 190, and 191 can include thecapability to allow the diver to fine tune voice 103 while they areunderwater with the mouthpiece 10 in place. Accordingly, in variousembodiments device 160 can include various user input devices or othermeans 185 (e.g., knobs, touch screens, etc.) for making suchadjustments.

In addition to manual adjustment of voice 103, in various embodimentsdevice 160 can also include means for varying the acousticalcharacteristics of voice 103 depending upon variations in one or moreconditions experienced by the divers so as to maintain the diver'sability to hear messages 102 spoken by voice 103. Such conditions caninclude ambient noise levels, the diver's depth, water pressure andother like conditions. Accordingly modules 191 can include one or morecontrol algorithms 196 (e.g., PI, PID, etc.) which operate using aninput 197. In various embodiments, input 197 may comprise one or more ofdepth, pressure, ambient noise, etc. For the case of ambient noiselevels, the input 197 can comprise signals 42 from microphone 42 ormicrophones coupled to device 160. In use, such embodiments allow thediver to continue to hear commands 102 from voice 103 during changes intheir depth and in ambient noise levels (e.g., from a passing boat)which may otherwise drown out or reduce the acoustic fidelity of thevoice 103. Module 191 can also adjust voice 103 as well depending on theparticular type of SCUBA 80, mask and mouthpiece used by the diver toaccount for variations in acoustical conduction and other acousticalcharacteristics.

Modules 191 can also be configured to modulate or otherwise adjust voice103 to account for reduced levels of conduction by bone at higheracoustic frequencies. This can be accomplished, for example, through theuse of pitch variations routines 195 which shifts the pitch of all or aportion of the frequency components of voice 103 to lower frequencies(e.g., make voice 103 sound deeper). In other embodiments, conductionthrough the bone of the higher frequency components of voice message 102or other acoustic signals 52 may also be improved by using high passsignal routines implemented in hardware (e.g., a high pass filtercoupled to op amp device) or in software by a module 198 running on oneor both of processor 170 and 70. Such an approach (either in hardware orsoftware) amplifies the higher frequency components of voice 103 orother acoustic signal 52 by a selected gain which can vary dependingupon the frequency (e.g., more gain for higher frequencies). In oneembodiment, the amount of the gain can be determined by doing soundconduction readings through the diver's skull and/or taking bone densityreadings using one or more bone densitometer instruments known in theart.

Device 160 can send signals 51 to mouthpiece 10 using a variety ofmodalities. For example, in various embodiments, device 160 can sendaudio signals 51 containing modulated or otherwise encoded voicemessages 102 to mouthpiece 10 via wires 17, or alternatively may do sowireless using an RF other wireless communication device 96. In anotherembodiment, a second device 160′ that is not directly coupled tomouthpiece 10 can be used to acoustically signal voice messages 102 todevice 160 which is operatively coupled to mouthpiece 10 either viawires 17 or through use of RF communication devices 95 and 96.

As described above, various embodiments, which generate spoken messages102 (for example, using device 160), allow the diver to perform a numberof tasks and activities, including various mission critical taskswithout being distracted by having to look at gauge or otherinstruments. Further, messages 102 can include not just data such asdepth, remaining air, etc., but can include prompts for performing oneor more operations or tasks. For example, in one or more embodiments,messages 102 can include spoken directions for reaching a desiredlocation, such as a dive site, or the location of a dive boat or that ofother divers. Specific commands in such embodiments can include withoutlimitation, “swim up,” “swim down,” “bear to the right,” “bear to theleft,” etc. This allows the diver to navigate to such locations whilelooking at their surroundings and/or when there is minimal lighting.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, dive computer 160 andcommunication system 5 can be configured to provide the diver with voicemessages 102 in the form of prompts for making a controlled ascent tothe surface so as to avoid the bends. Specifically, the dive computer160 may provide voice prompts directing the diver with variousinstructions, such as how long to remain at a particular depth duringthe ascent, what depth he or she is at, how long he or she has been atthe depth, and how soon before he or she can ascend to the next depth.The computer 160 may also provide the diver with voice updates, whichprovide information such as the diver's ascent rate or whether they needto stay longer or shorter at a particular depth depending on variousconditions. In addition to prompts and updates, the dive computer 160may also provide voice instructions of the entire ascent plan in advanceof the actual ascent in order to allow the diver to get a sense of theentire plan.

While in many embodiments, mouthpiece 10 is configured for use with aSCUBA 80, in other embodiments, the mouthpiece can also be configuredfor used with a snorkel or like apparatus, allowing a snorkeler to havetwo way voice communication with another snorkeler, diver 210 or ship220. In such embodiments, the entire system 5, including communicationdevice 100 can be contained in the mouthpiece 10. Further, in suchembodiments, the connecting portion 11 can be sized and shaped todetachably connect to a standard sized snorkel, allowing the diver toattach the mouthpiece 10 to an off the shelf commercial snorkel and havea skin diving version of underwater communication system 5. In otherembodiments, mouthpiece 10 and system 5 can be adapted for use withvirtually any breathing apparatus, such as those used by fire and minerescue personnel, so as to allow two way voice communications with suchapparatus.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-19, various embodiments of mouthpiece 10 canalso include a measurement device 410 (also described herein as sensordevice 410) and methods for measuring various biometric data of a diver,such as blood oxygen saturation or that of another gas (e.g., nitrogen).Such measurements can then be converted into an acoustic signal fortransmission to an acoustical communication device, such ascommunication device 100, described herein. Collectively, sensor device410, mouthpiece 10 and one or more of communication device 100 (or othercommunication device described herein) and a monitoring device 460 maycomprise a system 400 for measuring and communicating biometric dataabout a diver as is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 12. In these andrelated embodiments, mouthpiece 10 comprises a support 10 s in or onwhich sensor device 410 is placed or otherwise disposed. Other supports10 s are also contemplated which fit into the mouth of the diver andmay, for example, be configured to be retained between the diver's cheekand gum so as to be in optical contact with one or both of these typesof oral tissue. Monitoring device 460 can be one in the same as device160 and may include a display 480, which may be the same as display 180of a communication device 100 as described herein. System 400 may alsoinclude a power supply 419 and a processor 470. The processor 470 may beone in the same as processor 70 or processor 170 for embodiments using amonitoring device 460/160. Processor 470 can include one or more modules490 for calculating blood oxygen saturation (or other blood gassaturation, e.g., nitrogen) based on input from sensor device 410 andusing absorbance equations known in the art. The module 490 can also beused to generate and control various aspects of sensor 410 includingboth input and outputs from the sensor. For example, in embodimentswhere sensor device 410 includes an optical emitter 412 and detector 413module 490 may include various algorithms for adjusting or calibratingthe optical output of emitter 412 for variations in one or more of watertemperature, depth or other dive condition, variations in the locationof the emitter and detector in mouthpiece 10 as well as the particulartype of optical measurement (e.g., absorbance vs. reflectance foroximetry embodiments of system 400). Further, the module 490 may includealgorithms to adjust the output of emitter 412 and/or that of detector413 for motion artifact or other optical interference from movement ofthe mouthpiece e.g., due to movement diver's mouth and/or breathing.Module 490 may also include algorithms for calculating the diver's apulse rate based on variations in the diver's blood oxygen saturation.

In one or more embodiments of mouthpiece 10 having a system 400 formeasurement of biometric data, the system may include an optical orother sensor 410 for measurement of the diver's blood gases. Embodimentsof a mouthpiece 10 having a sensor device 410 for making blood gasmeasurements are shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In these and relatedembodiments, sensor device 410 includes an optical emitter 412 andoptical detector 413 that are selected and arranged to emit and detectlight which having an absorbance or other optical property which iscorrelative to a blood gas saturation such as, oxygen, nitrogen, carbondioxide, etc. Emitter 412 may correspond to one more LED's of the sameor different wavelengths, though other optical emitters are alsocontemplated such as lasers. Detector 413 may correspond to one or morephotodiodes, phototransistor, CCDs or like devices

In some embodiments, the emitter and detector of sensor device 410 areconfigured for measurement of blood oxygen saturation using oximetrymethods. In various embodiments employing oximetry methods, adjustmentscan be made for the highly vascularized nature of the oral tissue OTsuch as buccal or gum tissue. Such adjustments can include, for example,reduction in the light intensities used for emitter 412 since theincident beam does not have to penetrate as much tissue as normal skinbefore encountering blood contained in the vascularized tissue withinoral tissue OT. Typically, vascularized tissue or oral tissue OT lackspigment so that it is fairly translucent relative to normal skin.Reductions in intensity in the range of 5% to 90%, with specificembodiments of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%, relative to external skinoximetry measurements may be employed. Adjustments may also be made forreflection of light from tooth enamel underlying gum tissue. Sensordevice 410 may employ wavelengths not absorbed by oxy-hemoglobin orhemoglobin so as to account for reflection occurring from the toothenamel. Reduced intensities may be employed, relative to typicalreflectance oximetry, due to the reflectance from tooth enamel.Reductions in intensity in the range of 5% to 50%, with specificembodiments of 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% relative to external skin oximetrymeasurements may be employed. Alternatively, increased intensities maybe employed.

Emitter 412 and detector 413 are positioned in the mouthpiece 10 to emitlight onto the diver's oral tissue OT, which can include either the gumsor the inner cheek (i.e., buccal tissue), and then to sense light thatis transmitted or reflected by the oral tissue as result of the emittedlight. The emitter and detector 412 and 413 may be waterproofed andconfigured to withstand the pressures of the dive, e.g., withstand thepressure at depths of 200 to 300 feet (60.96 to 91.44 meters). This canbe achieved through the use of various mill spec/marine qualitycomponents known in the art. The sensor device 410 can also include itsown electrical power source 419, such as a lithium button battery orother miniature battery known in the art, or power may be supplied froman external source.

The emitter and detector 412 and 413 can have a number of arrangementsand configurations within mouthpiece 10 to achieve various objectives,for example to maintain substantial physical and/or optical contact withthe diver's oral tissue OT. In various embodiments, they may be placedon the surface 12 of the mouthpiece 10 or embedded within the mouthpieceeither directly or by being placed in a cavity and then potted over. Inthe latter two cases, the mouthpiece and/or potting material aretranslucent (at least to the selected wavelengths) to allow light to betransmitted through the mouthpiece to reach the diver's oral tissue andthen be transmitted back. In use, such embodiments allow the conformablesurface of the mouthpiece 10 or other support 10 s to establish andmaintain substantial physical and/or optical contact (e.g., of emitter412 and detector 413) with the diver's oral tissue, including forexample, when the diver is breathing through the piece or otherwisemoving the mouth piece in their mouth. As used herein, the terms“substantial physical” and/or “substantial optical contact” means eitherthat greater than about 75% of the area of the mouthpiece including theemitter and detector is continuously in physical and/or optical contactwith the divers oral tissue, more preferably greater than 90% of saidarea and still more preferably greater than about 95% of said area;and/or ii) said area is in physical and/or optical contact with thediver's oral tissue more than about 51% of the time when the diver hasthe mouthpiece in their mouth, more preferably, greater than about 75%of the time, still more preferably, greater than about 95% of the time.Such embodiments reduce the likelihood of an air bubble, liquid or bothfrom optically obscuring or interfering with light going to or fromemitter 412 or detector 413 so that there is no substantial effect onthe measurement of blood oxygen saturation or other blood gassaturation. As used herein in the context of blood oxygen or other bloodgas saturation measurement, the term “no substantial effect” or withoutsubstantial effect” means an effect of preferably less than 10%, morepreferably less than 5% and still more preferably less than 2.5% witheven lower amounts contemplated (e.g., less than 1%). Maintenance ofsubstantial physical and/or optical contact emitter 412 or detector 413may also be enhanced through the use of conformable materials for all ora portion of mouthpiece 10 so that mouthpiece can: i) conform to thecontour of the contacted oral tissue OT; and ii) bend and flex withmovement of the diver's mouth and/or mouthpiece to maintain saidcontact. In particular embodiments the section(s) of the mouthpiece 10containing emitter 412 and/or detector 413 (e.g., flange 36) can befabricated from materials more conformable than the remainder ofmouthpiece 10.

In other embodiments for achieving substantial physical and/or opticalcontact with divers oral tissue, the emitter and detector may be placedon the surface 12 of the mouthpiece 10 so as to make direct contact withthe diver's oral tissue. In such embodiments, the surfaces of one orboth of the emitter 412 and detector 413 are desirably coated with awaterproof material and the housings for one or both can be made fromconformable polymers so as to conform to the contour of the contactedoral tissue OT. In some embodiments, the emitter 412 and detector 413may be recessed below the surface of the mouthpiece 10 a selected amountwhile still having direct exposure to the inside of the diver's mouth.In these and related embodiments, the emitter 412 and detector 413 mayalso be angled a selected amount toward the surface of the target oraltissue with the angle chosen depending upon various factors such aswhere the sensor device 410 is positioned on the mouthpiece (e.g., frontor back of the mouth) and/or the wavelengths selected and/or the desiredaccuracy and precision. In various embodiments, the angle can be in therange of 1 to 90 degrees with particular embodiments of 15, 30, 45 and60 degrees.

In other embodiments, multiple emitters and detectors 412 and 413 can beused for sensor 410 and may be arranged in a distributed pattern orarray on or beneath the surface 12 of mouthpiece 10. Such an arrayedpattern provides for improved accuracy and precision of the oximetrymeasurement because the measurement is being made at multiple locationswithin the divers mouth so as to average out of any anomalousmeasurements due to, for example, motion artifact (e.g., of the diver'smouth or the mouthpiece) and/or sections of the diver's mouth beingtemporarily compressed against the mouthpiece and thus having reducedblood.

In addition to the various configurations described above, the emitter412 and detector 413 may also be arranged and configured depending uponthe particular type of method employed for measurement of the desiredblood gas (e.g., refelectance or transmittance type oximetry formeasurement of blood oxygen levels). For example, if sensor device 410uses reflectance type oximetry, the emitter(s) and detector(s) may beplaced proximate with each other on the same side of the mouthpiece 10(whether embedded, recessed or on the surfaces), as shown in theembodiment of FIG. 15. In such embodiments, the detector 413 isdetecting emitted light which is reflected from the diver's oral tissue.Also, for reflectance type embodiments, the emitter 412 and detector 413can be positioned to make measurement for either gum G, or buccaltissue. For gum measurements, the emitter 412 and detector 413 can bepositioned on the inside surface of the mouthpiece, while for buccalmeasurements, they can be positioned on the outside surface. Also, forbuccal measurements, the intensity and wavelengths of the emitted lightcan be adjusted to account for reflectance of light off of the enamel ofthe tooth below the gum line, GL. For, example, the intensity of theemitted light can be reduced due to the increased reflectance of lightoff of the tooth enamel (which for normal skin would not occur resultingin a greater degree of absorbance by the deeper layers in the skin). Inuse, such embodiments can reduce the power requirement for makingoximetry measurements and thus prolong battery life.

For embodiments using transmittance-type oximetry, the emitter 412 anddetector 413 will typically be placed on opposite sides of themouthpiece 10, as is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 16. However,several different embodiments are contemplated using absorbance typeoximetry where the emitter 412 and detector 413 need not necessarily beon opposite sides of the mouthpiece. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 17,the emitter 412 and detector 413 are positioned on opposite sides ofmouthpiece 10 and are further positioned to be below the diver's gumline GL such that light is transmitted through the divers gum tissue(e.g., light is transmitted from one side of the gum to the other).Sufficient intensity can be used to allow for transmission of lightthrough gaps below the gum portion of diver's teeth. Multiple emittersand detectors can be used to accomplish this as well. In anotherembodiment shown in FIG. 18, the emitter 412 and detector 413 can bepositioned on the same side of the mouthpiece, but at different verticalpositions. The different vertical positions can be selected to allow forthe transmittance of the emitted light from a location just below thegum line of the lower teeth (a location several mm's or more lower wherethe light is being transmitted through the layer of gum tissue coveringthe tooth (teeth)) with concurrent absorbance by oxygenated blood withinthis tissue layer.

In yet another embodiment shown in FIGS. 19a-19c , mouthpiece 10 caninclude flaps 38 which project between the tongue Tg and the lowerpalate LP, allowing for emitter 412 and detector 413 to be positioned oneither side of the tongue so that light transmittance and absorbance canoccur through the tissue at the base of the tongue Tg, known as theLingual Frenulum, LF. This is a desirable area to make oximetrymeasurements, particularly for a diver since this area is highlyvascularized and less likely to experience vasoconstriction (e.g., dueto the diver's exposure to colder water), which may reduce the amount ofblood contained in the tissue to be sampled.

In various embodiments, the intensity and other optical characteristicsof the light emitted by emitter 412 can be modulated or otherwiseadjusted for various underwater conditions, such as depth, watertemperature, or optical property of the water the diver is in (e.g.,turbidity, etc.) so as to maintain the accuracy and precision of theblood gas saturation measurement and/or otherwise reduce error,variation or signal noise caused in whole or part by the underwatercondition. For example, the intensity can be modulated with respect tothe diver's depth (e.g., by means of an electronic depth gauge that isoperatively coupled to device 410 and/or PDA 460). The modulation orother adjustment can be done by logic circuitry coupled to emitter 412and/or device 410 and/or a processor such as processor 70, 170 or 470operatively coupled to emitter 412 and/or device 410. Higher intensitiescan be used for deeper depths due to fact that the higher waterpressures at deeper depths may cause blood that is normally present inthe upper layers of the skin to be forced away from the skin surfaceinto deeper tissue. Thus, a stronger intensity may be needed topenetrate deeper into the skin and subjacent tissue where sufficientblood is present to make an oximetry measurement. Correlations can bedeveloped between required intensity strength and diving depth usingknown mathematical modeling and/or laboratory testing and models. Invarious embodiments, the intensity of light from emitter 412 can beadjusted linearly, logarithmically or other manner with respect to depth(e.g., in a first, second order or other manner). A similar situationmay occur for colder water temperatures, where due to vasoconstrictionof the skin from colder temperatures, blood is shunted away from theskin, requiring higher intensities. Also, higher intensities can be usedto compensate for losses in intensity of the incident orreflected/transmitted light from the skin due to the presence of waterin the diver's mouth and various particulate matter in the water (e.g.,due to scattering, reflectance etc.). In this latter case, a calibrationsignal may be sent to compensate for the presence of water, e.g., beforeemitter 412 emits an optical signal 412 s used for measurement of bloodoxygen saturation. Alternatively, a dual beam approach can be used foroptical signal 412 s with one beam directed at the diver's skin theother into any water near the diver's skin.

CONCLUSION

The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Manymodifications, variations and refinements will be apparent topractitioners skilled in the art. For example, various embodiments ofmouthpiece 10 and system 5 can be adapted for salt and fresh waterenvironments, as well as deep dives (e.g., 60 to 200 meters (196.9 to656.2 feet)) and cold water environments. Also various embodiments ofmouthpiece 10 and system 400 can be adapted for other blood gasesbesides oxygen, such as nitrogen, CO₂, etc.

Elements, characteristics, or acts from one embodiment can be readilyrecombined or substituted with one or more elements, characteristics oracts from other embodiments to form numerous additional embodimentswithin the scope of the invention. Moreover, elements that are shown ordescribed as being combined with other elements, can, in variousembodiments, exist as standalone elements. Hence, the scope of thepresent invention is not limited to the specifics of the describedembodiments, but is instead limited solely by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mouthpiece apparatus for measuring biometricdata of a diver, the mouthpiece comprising: a flexible mouthpiececonfigured to be worn in the mouth of the diver; the flexible mouthpieceincluding a light emitter and a light detector configured to emit anddetect light at a wavelength having an absorbance correlated with alevel of a blood gas saturation, the light emitter positioned to emitlight onto oral tissue of the diver and the light detector positioned todetect light which is received from the oral tissue and generate anoutput signal correlated to the detected light.